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CONTRASTED MEMORIES.

Two cases of comparatively early death recently occurred within the sphere of the writer's observation, so widely different not only in the circumstances under which they occurred, but also in the manner in which they were regarded by survivors, that the contrast itself produced a very powerful impression on his mind. They resided in the same city, and in the same street of that city; they attended-one of them, it is true, but rarely-the same Christian sanctuary; and they lie buried in the same churchyard.

One of them was a young man of good connections and fair prospects, but he had formed habits and associations which ultimately led to his ruin. Notwithstanding the attractions of a pleasant home, and the claims of an amiable wife, and a rising family, he still prosecuted his career of vice. It was hoped that a change of residence, separating him from old and evil companionships, might do much to effect a reformation; but he soon found associates of a kindred spirit, and there was no amendment. His extravagance requiring larger supplies than were furnished by his income, he was tempted to acts of dishonesty; and to evade the consequences of detection, which he saw to be inevitable, he lifted up against himself the hand of the suicide, and rushed unbidden into the presence of his Judge. The event caused at the time a powerful sensation, and of course the shock was felt most severely in his own household. Yet it was very obvious that even there the feeling of real loss was extremely slight. He had done so little to inspire confidence and love, and so much to produce far different feelings, that affection, which is proverbially so tenacious, could scarcely desire his return. Calm reflection said it was better the wife should be a widow, and the children fatherless, than that they should have a husband and a father whose whole life was one continued violation of domestic duties, and whose influence was only evil. At all events, beyond the circle of his own immediate friends, who would naturally deplore the disappointment of their hope of better things, there were none to feel that his removal was a loss. Like Jehoram, he "departed without being desired."

The other case was that of a young female in the middle class of society, who, though gifted with no extraordinary abilities, was distinguished for high moral excellence. She was one of those characters that command universal respect, and to whom even people who have no love for the gospel are willing to render praise-a beautiful exemplification of the power of true religion. Her demeanour was marked by a uniform propriety, a subdued yet cheerful seriousness, a kindly consideration for the feelings of others, an unfailing readiness to oblige and serve, and, above all, by a matured and elevated Christian piety. From her childhood she was actuated by a strong sense of duty. Any one who knew her was soon made aware that regard to duty, even in the smallest things, was a leading feature of her character. This principle grew with her growth, till, through the grace of God, what might, in her case, be almost reckoned a natural, became a Christian principle, elevated by enlarged and scriptural views, and actuated by the noblest motives. Her whole life was the life of one who lived in habitual communion with heaven. Though, from the pressure of domestic claims, she might have pleaded exemption from any laborious endeavours after Christian usefulness, she was present in such labours of love. The inhabitants of the district in which she lived welcomed most gladly her periodical visits as she bore from house to house the religious tract. But it was in the sabbath school that she was best known as an earnest, faithful labourer for Christ. Though never robust, and though the way from her dwelling to the school was, in stormy weather, much exposed, she was seldom absent from her post, indeed never, except when positively unable to attend. She was often found in her place when her state of health would have furnished a sufficient plea for remaining at home. Many a heart will cherish, as long as life lasts, the remembrance of her kind and gentle teachings, and regard those teachings as amongst the most powerful influences by which they were led to Christ. The writer can recall none to whom that commendation of our Lord might be more justly applied, "She hath done what she could." Her end was premature. It was still the morning of her life when "her sun went down." Her departure was a scene of perfect peace. There were no expressions of rapture, no shouts of triumph, but a sweet, uncomplaining resignation, and a spirit of calm dependence on the promises and grace of Christ. Her death was one of those scenes respecting which spectators almost involuntarily exclaim, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." She was borne to the grave amidst the sincere regrets of

a wide circle of friends; and her name and her devoted, humble labours are yet remembered and mentioned with respect and love. Her "memory" is still "blessed" as the memory of the just and good.

From these two contrasted cases, the reflection naturally arises, "How differently may men's departure be regarded by those who survive them!" One departs like Jehoram, "without being desired," nobody regretting his removal, or wishing him back again; whilst another falls amidst the lamentations of multitudes, who feel that they themselves have lost a friend, and that God's church, and the world as well, have been impoverished by the stroke.

Now it is a natural thing for men to look beyond their death, and to desire to be remembered with affection when they are no more. There are few who could bear to be told that as soon as they were gone their memories would be blackened with ignominy. It would be a grief and a disappointment to be told that they would be simply forgotten. See what men have done for the sake of posthumous fame; what toils they have undergone, and what dangers they have braved! The poet, the warrior, the statesman, the man of science, have all revelled in the thought that the trumpet's note of fame would be prolonged over their dust; and many a man, stung by the neglect and unkindness of his contemporaries, has solaced himself by the persuasion that posterity would vindicate his memory. Even a dying child, aware of his approaching end, distributes his little treasures amongst his companions and friends, in the hope that they will keep fresh his memory in their hearts when he is no more. Is there then, it may be asked, anything in the Bible which forbids this solicitude? Much, it is replied, if it be set up as the great object of life. Our highest concern ought to be to secure God's approval; but, in due subordination to that, we ought to care both how men regard us whilst we live, and how they will think of us when we are gone. Otherwise so much would not be said of the manner in which the just and the good are deplored; we should not be told as we are that "the memory of the just is blessed," that "the memory of the wicked shall rot." There would not have been recorded the lamentations with which a Josiah and a Stephen were borne to their graves, except to foster in our minds the desire to be so remembered. We should live so that our death will neither be deemed a positive blessing, nor regarded with indifference, but mourned as a calamity by those who have been blessed by the enlightened endeavours we have made to promote their welfare, or encouraged in the pursuit of excellence by our example.

There are two classes of whom it may be said that they
There are those who do

depart without being desired."
much evil, and those who do no good.
There are those who do much evil. What a positive joy it
must be to a people when they hear that the relentless tyrant,
who has ground them down with hard exactions, imposed on
them the fetters of a cruel bondage, is no more! If they might,
they would gladly dance over his grave, unless indeed they are
so broken spirited, and have so little hope of improvement from
any change, that it is little matter who reigns over them. The
death of Nero, for instance, must have diffused a trembling joy,
not only through the minds of the poor Christians whom he
had harried like a ferocious beast of prey, but throughout his
whole empire. Such was the case, too, in England, when per-
secuting Mary was called away from her deeds of bigotry and
blood. But are there not those in far humbler positions in life
who depart unregretted? There is, for instance, the man who
has squandered his substance, who has rendered his home a
scene of privation and misery, whose violent outbursts of
temper have rendered him the terror of the wife of his bosom
and his children, who has wronged his neighbours, and who has
led others astray. There is many a case like that in which
scarcely a spark of affection remains, even in the hearts of those
who were most closely connected with him; or if there yet re-
main some portion of the love of happier days, or if some acts
of remembered kindness call up a feeling of regret in the minds
of his own household, there is none to lament him beyond—
none to say, "The place is sadly vacant which he occupied,
would that he were back again !" It is lamentable indeed to
think that there are those who had every capacity for winning
and securing affection, and whose names and deeds might have
been enshrined in loving hearts, over whose grave there is no
one who cares to shed a tear!

But there are others, of whom it might be said in a somewhat modified sense, that they "depart without being desired;" they are those who do no good; that is to say, none beyond the circle of their own households, and the good they do there is only a modification of that selfishness which reigns supremely in their hearts. They may be lamented there, but not beyond. They are scarcely known to have ever performed a single act of genuine philanthropy. They have visited no lonely widow in her affliction, and never ministered bread to the fatherless. What support they have rendered to those institutions, which, thanks to the genius of the gospel, abound so largely in our land, has been rendered grudgingly, and because it could not be refused

THE ENGLISH MONTHLY TRACT SOCIETY, 27, RED LION SQUARE, LONDON,

without reproach. They have done nothing to gather in the wandering; nothing to restore the outcast and the fallen; nothing to diffuse throughout the world the knowledge of salvation. Their death leaves no blank; not an institution misses them; no sphere of useful effort is left vacant; not a single heart exclaims in sorrow, "Wherefore doth the godly man cease, and the faithful fail from among the children of men ?" They have lived for no great, good purpose, and, beyond their immediate circles, they die undeplored!

But there are those who are bitterly lamented, who are "desired," and amongst such men the Christian stands preeminent. It is quite true, indeed, that a man need not be a Christian to be deeply regretted. The benevolent landlord is followed to the grave by his weeping tenantry; the man who has exerted himself to promote the physical and moral welfare of his fellow citizens; the soldier who has fought nobly his country's battles, and whose name has been itself a tower of strength; the statesman who has originated and carried out the measures of an enlightened policy, and guided successfully the helm of his country's fortunes; the sovereign, whose personal character has been marked by condescension and amiability, and who has filled with honour the throne of his country; these are sincerely mourned by multitudes, even though there may be no reason to believe that they were actuated by Christian principle, and though many of those who deplore their death hardly know what Christian principle is.

But what we wish to do now, is to show that the Christian, if he act up to his principles, will be remembered with respect and love.

See with what graces the gospel adorns the character! What is it that men love? That which is imposing and splendid! Mere power! Stern integrity! These may command admiration and respect, but other qualities are needed to inspire affection-gentleness, benevolence, forbearance, love-dispositions which Christianity enjoins as a matter of duty on all who receive it, and dispositions for the production of which it confers a grace which can develop, even in the most unlovely, the fairest fruits of moral excellency. Its command is, "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things:" and its declaration, at once inculcating a lesson and embodying a promise, is, "The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith." The man in whom such

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